Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-10

d~elegating this examination to the compe'
tent physicians of the institution, with
full confidence that none of the evils imag.
ined by the Committee are at all likely to
occur.
And now as to DIR. Bland: IL will be
observed that the criticisms Of the Com
mittee upon his conduct are made in the
same spirit of bitterness As those tO which
We have referred. The Committee does
not say that a single charge against him is
supported by the evidence. In the con-
duct which il criticises it acqults him OF
any impure motives. For what? First,
because the Committee thinks he lacks ex-
ccutivr ability. Why? Because letters
received are not preserved, letters sent are
not copied, bonds are kept without ar
rangement, records are insufficient, n are
not indeXed.
Does the committee desire TO impose
these multitudinous duties upon the Su-
perintendent? Must he he clerk, cOpyist,
physician, Superintendent, all in one? Is
it his duty TO keep the records, and index
them? No Superintendent since this has
been an institution has ever done this; no
Superintendent ever can do it! The con-
duct Of DIR. Bland in this particular will
compare ~tavOrably with any of his prede-
cessors; and if the committee desire the
duties connected with the Hospital to be
conducted with the accuracy and order re-
quired' by it, the Legislature must provide
additional clerical force. The committee
conclude that DIR. Bland is lacking in a
knowledge OF men and a capacity to gov
ern them; and yet is forced to admit that
the attendants are neat and clean, polite
and courteous in their demeanOr, and the
patients dormitorieS and halls clean and
well ventilated. Is DIR. Bland to receive
no crOdit for this? Does he not select,
control and govern the attendants who
have their attributes and bring about these
Second, The Committee says that DIR.
Bland Is too familidr-withtle patients; his
conduct is indelicate and reBrehensible, but
without impure motives.
Must DIR. Bland stand upon his dignity
with the unfortunate people under his con-
troll; must he treat them harShly and Sc
yerely, or ought he to be permitted in the
tondness Of his heart to approach them
with n familiarity and a kindness calcula-
ted to win their sympathy aud attach
ment, and the more readily to submit
themselves to treatment? These unfortu-
nate people are not to be approached
through their seasoning powers alone, but
each individual must be met in a manner
suited to her POPULARITY or deluSiOn and
coaxed with tOh to submit TO treatment.
Is a man whd has stood for years ut the
head of his procession, who has been pres
ident of the Wet Virginia Medical Society,
who was selectd to fill his present posi-
ton by compctelt gentlemen cOgniZant of
his well known qualifications, not to be
permitted to yisl d patient alone?
But suppose ithOuld be conceded that
his conduct in thi particular has been in
discreet, the committee acquits him Ofany
impure motives
We nave not space TO further analyze
this remarkably re)Ort. We could do so
at much more lngh and much more sat
islactorily. W. viii say, however, that
this Committee has pronounced upon in
conclusive Testimony, upon the testimony
OF discharged an aggrieved employees: has
utterly ignored te results of DIR. BANDS
work, has givenlO consideration to the
fact that the eviCnce berore it and COM
parison with the ports of other hospitals
clearly ~demOnstres that for economy in
management and ill in the treatment of
patients no hospih in the Union presents
u better showing, y result not likely to be
consummated by superintendent lacking
in executive abilitNr medical skill.
The cOIpmittee tesnO account of these
facts, of tine numbef witnesses who testi-
fy rs to Doctor BIAS efficiency and COM
potency, but Labor TO demonstrate how
much better the cODlittee might do. and
follows this up withumerous Iecommen-
datiOnS, most of viii have been repeated
ly called to the attelOn of the Legisla-
ture by the directors
We may have ocean to refer to the
report again, but " say in conclusion
that the more this mar is examined into,
the better understand that is had of
the evidence, Of it's urce, weight and
character, the Surcr v Doctor BANDS
vindicatiOn follow.